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Garda Inspectorate Report is another wake up call on policing for the Government - Mac Lochlainn

Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, has described the "Changing Policing in Ireland" report from the Garda Inspectorate as "another wake-up call on policing for the Government".

He called on the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald to ensure that her Department immediately carries out a full review of the recommendations from previous Garda Inspectorate reports as well as other inspections, inquiries and reviews of An Garda Síochána and then to examine how many recommendations have been implemented.

He described the repeated references in this report by the Garda Inspectorate to previous recommendations for change that have not been implemented by An Garda Síochána management as a "serious cause for concern".

Deputy Mac Lochlainn said:

"This is another important report from the Garda Inspectorate and it makes for sober reading. Aside from their revelations about the failure to implement so many previous recommendations, there is a renewed focus on a top heavy organisation, a failure to release fully trained gardaí to front line and community policing responsibilities, roster systems applied on a one size fits all basis that are an impediment to the continuous investigation of crime and case management, to mention but a few key points.

“These recommendations must be implemented if the Irish people are to have the policing service that they need and indeed, deserve. Just as importantly, we need to deliver a service and an organisation that is fit for purpose and that lifts the morale of the men and women of An Garda Síochána at the front line.

“The Minister must ensure that her Department immediately carries out a full review of the recommendations from previous Garda Inspectorate reports as well as other inspections, inquiries and reviews of An Garda Síochána and then to examine how many recommendations have been implemented. And we need a full explanation why previous recommendations were not implemented".